15th Field Artillery Regiment
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1961
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
1961
as at 2 October 1961
Sub-units
31st Field Battery, RCA
85th Field Battery, RCA
158th Field Battery, RCA
209th Field Battery, RCA
210th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA
31st Field Battery, RCA
85th Field Battery, RCA
158th Field Battery, RCA
209th Field Battery, RCA
210th Field Battery, RCA
Band of the 15th Field Regiment, RCA
Key Appointments
Promotions & Appointments
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Sergeant DA Elrick promoted Staff Sergeant. |
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Bombardier Joe A. Richardson promoted Sergeant. Bombardier Stu J. Harper to Sergeant. |
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Gunner Kent Carswell promoted Lance Bombardier.
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New Members
Robert E Mugford joined the unit as a Private (Recruit).
Robert E Mugford joined the unit as a Private (Recruit).
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Former Members
Gunner Ian Newby transfers to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Tempted by the opportunity to fly, the changes in the Canadian military in the early 60's led to fewer and fewer exciting opportunities. After a short stint, he returned to Vancouver and rejoined the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA. |
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Recruiting Film
The Regiment put together a 15 minute clip highlighting the training available in the unit. Driver training, Gunnery, Rescue, Technical. |
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Remembrance Day 1961
The Commanding Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major lead the march past. The Herald Trumpets sound the Last Post an Reveille |
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Artillery Salutes
The Regiment fires salutes for the Queen Mother's birthday, the Duke of Edinburgh's 40th Birthday, the Queen's birthday, her official birthday on Victoria Day and Dominion Day.
The Regiment fires salutes for the Queen Mother's birthday, the Duke of Edinburgh's 40th Birthday, the Queen's birthday, her official birthday on Victoria Day and Dominion Day.
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Vancouver Sun Coverage
Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class II Dave Penman's photo makes the news along with Gunner R.F. Beer. |
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Thursday Night Parade
180 on parade, trophies awarded and an article in the local paper. |
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Live Fire Ex - Albert Head
On 6 Jun 1961 the unit deployed to Albert Head on Vancouver Island and fired out into the Pacific Ocean. Note the C2 variant of the howitzer. I've always wondered what the percentage of blind rounds was? Did we transmit, "Record as blind" and pass on the information to the Royal Canadian Navy to record? Was the term "splash" more applicable? Quite important to ensure that the sailing club schedule is monitored.
On 6 Jun 1961 the unit deployed to Albert Head on Vancouver Island and fired out into the Pacific Ocean. Note the C2 variant of the howitzer. I've always wondered what the percentage of blind rounds was? Did we transmit, "Record as blind" and pass on the information to the Royal Canadian Navy to record? Was the term "splash" more applicable? Quite important to ensure that the sailing club schedule is monitored.
Summer Exercise
The slide package was marked 8 August 1961 with no mention of location. I believe that it's Glenemma Ranges near Vernon, BC but I'm open to any suggestions from those that may have been there.
I'm also looking for a description on what the gentleman in the first photograph is working on. In the second photo we have the bell tents with a group of officers waiting to fill their wash basins from the immersion heaters.
Mmmm, looks like breakfast in the field. I don't know what the secret was but, Regimental cooks could make a breakfast taste ten times better than the one served at Denny's.
The slide package was marked 8 August 1961 with no mention of location. I believe that it's Glenemma Ranges near Vernon, BC but I'm open to any suggestions from those that may have been there.
I'm also looking for a description on what the gentleman in the first photograph is working on. In the second photo we have the bell tents with a group of officers waiting to fill their wash basins from the immersion heaters.
Mmmm, looks like breakfast in the field. I don't know what the secret was but, Regimental cooks could make a breakfast taste ten times better than the one served at Denny's.
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Mothers Day at The Peace Arch
The Regimental Band was there to support the event. |
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Recruiting Campaign
The unit printed quite a few targeted ads in the local newspapers throughout the year.
The unit printed quite a few targeted ads in the local newspapers throughout the year.
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Commanding Officers' Newsletter
Lieutenant Colonel Garrett produced Issue Number 4 which highlighted the retirement of two Honorary Lieutenant Colonels, F. Ronald Graham and Fred B Brown. It also included updates from each of the batteries and some info on the 152 (Inkerman) Locating Battery RA. |
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Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Francis Ronald Graham CD
The Canadian Gunner prints a closeup of the Honorary Colonel. |
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Honorary Colonels Retire from 15th Field Regiment RCA
The Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable G.R. Pearkes, was on hand to inspect the Regiment and attend to the stand down of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonels Fred Brown and Ronald F. Graham. |
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Vancouver Council
The Honorary Colonel runs for City Council. |
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Regular Force Artillery
Building C2 in Shilo, MB allocated as new RCA Museum building as HP 18 found to be too small.
Building C2 in Shilo, MB allocated as new RCA Museum building as HP 18 found to be too small.
The Home Station
Canadian Forces Base Shilo June 1961
Canadian Forces Base Shilo June 1961
The Officers’ Mess
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Officers’ Mess New Year’s Eve Party
From the left Major Eckford, Mike Maskovic, Don Maskovic, the Chef?, Lieutenant-Colonel Garrett, the Wines Member Lieutenant Bailey. |
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Christmas Tea
An annual event is featured in the nespaper. |
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Mess Dinner Shenanigans
Apparently the Autumn Mess Dinner was quite the affair! |
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The Military Ball
The event was another outstanding success. It was held at the Vancouver Hotel and featured the Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment |
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Sergeants’ Mess
Sergeant E.V. Wallington presented the Mess with a hand tooled leather bound Guest Book.
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The Brigadier DuMoulin Trophy
This trophy is awarded to the most efficient member of the Sergeants’ Mess as determined by the displayed rating system. Warrant Officer Class II Auguste Bebel Clarke CD was presented the trophy for his performance during 1960. |
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Vancouver Artillery Officers Association
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Newspaper article
The Vancouver Artillery Officers Association is mentioned in the media as Colonel Peck takes the helm. |
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Correspondance
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Dinner
A ceremonial dinner is hosted by the Vancouver Artillery Officers Association plus a Flannel Dance. |
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Historic Buildings in Vancouver
The Beatty Street Drill Hall. Originally intended for the BC Garrison of Artillery but the unit was re-roled as the Duke of Connaughts before the building was completed. The Stanley Park remains are mentioned in the second article. |
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Artillery News
Advances in artillery technology with succesful tests at Rogers Pass and new ammunition. Plus an opportunity to purchase your own lawn ornaments! |
Obituaries
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Bombardier Graham Campbell Blair Baillie
On May 18, 1961, Graham Campbell Blair Baillie, 6450 E. Boulevard, Vancouver, B.C. Survived by his loving wife, Mollie S. and son, Blair, West Vancouver. Funeral service in chapel of Shaughnessy Heights United Church, May 23, at 1:30 p.m., Rev. T.M. Badger officiating. Cremation. Flowers gratefully declined. Bombardier Graham Campbell Blair Baillie enlisted with the 59th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on 11 September 1916 and was subsequently transferred to the 60th Battery, 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on the demise of the 15th Brigade. |
Sergeant Colin Beaton
Duncan – Funeral service was held at Hirst Funeral Chapel for Colin Beaton, 75, who died at his home, Genoa Bay Road. Born at Cox Heath, N.S., Mr. Beaton arrived at Vancouver 50 years ago and joined the fire department. He retired with the rank of district fire chief in 1946, at which time he bought his home at Bird’s Eye Cove, Genoa Bay Road. He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery in 1914-1918.
After his retirement at Vancouver he was a fire warden for a time at Chemainus and a part-time fire marshal for Mayo Lumber Co. Ltd., Nanaimo Division, and MacMillan & Bloedel Ltd., at Chemainus.
FAMILY: His wife, Ellen Bertha; a daughter, Mary, at home; a son, Dr. Nelson Beaton, Vancouver; two grandchildren; a brother and two sisters in Nova Scotia, and one at Boston, Mass.
Sergeant Beaton enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 22 February 1916 and served in France and Belgium with "E" Canadian Anti Aircraft Battery.
Duncan – Funeral service was held at Hirst Funeral Chapel for Colin Beaton, 75, who died at his home, Genoa Bay Road. Born at Cox Heath, N.S., Mr. Beaton arrived at Vancouver 50 years ago and joined the fire department. He retired with the rank of district fire chief in 1946, at which time he bought his home at Bird’s Eye Cove, Genoa Bay Road. He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery in 1914-1918.
After his retirement at Vancouver he was a fire warden for a time at Chemainus and a part-time fire marshal for Mayo Lumber Co. Ltd., Nanaimo Division, and MacMillan & Bloedel Ltd., at Chemainus.
FAMILY: His wife, Ellen Bertha; a daughter, Mary, at home; a son, Dr. Nelson Beaton, Vancouver; two grandchildren; a brother and two sisters in Nova Scotia, and one at Boston, Mass.
Sergeant Beaton enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 22 February 1916 and served in France and Belgium with "E" Canadian Anti Aircraft Battery.
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Major Harry Randle Bray
Vancouver Lawyer Harry R. Bray, QC, the third British Columbian to win a Rhodes scholarship and one of the founders of the UBC Faculty of Law, died in Shaughnessy Hospital Sunday. He was 77. Mr. Bray received his early education in Nanaimo, where he was born. When he was 16 he went to the University of Toronto where he graduated in 1905. The following year he won a Rhodes scholarship for study at Oxford. He returned to practice in Victoria in 1910 and later moved to Vancouver where he opened an office with his son, Marshall. This developed into a highly successful practice. For a while he was dean of the Law School of the Law Society and later helped to establish the law faculty at UBC. During the First World War Mr. Bray served with the navy and artillery. FAMILY – His wife, Gladys, and one son, Marshall, of Vancouver. SERVICES – Were held from Mount Pleasant Chapel and burial was in Mountain View Cemetery. |
Driver Thomas Enoch Campbell
January 11th, aged 75 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Hilda Elizabeth Campbell of 528 17th Avenue N.W. Services at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 540 16th Avenue N.W., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Rev. E.N.P. Orme MBE officiating. Internment Mountain View Memorial Gardens.
Driver Campbell was a member of the 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force.
January 11th, aged 75 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Hilda Elizabeth Campbell of 528 17th Avenue N.W. Services at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 540 16th Avenue N.W., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Rev. E.N.P. Orme MBE officiating. Internment Mountain View Memorial Gardens.
Driver Campbell was a member of the 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force.
Gunner Francis Harold Jones
May 20, 1961, 1456 E. 12th Ave., aged 65 years. Survived by his loving wife, Charlotte; a daughter, Lorraine; 2 sisters, Mrs. Mary Jensen and Mrs. Jessie Brown; a niece and a nephew of this city; a brother, William in Timmins, Ont. Deceased was a member of Plantagenet Lodge No. 65, A.F. & A.M., and Odd Fellows Lodge No. 7392. Rev. G. Turpin, D.D., will conduct the funeral service in the Mount Pleasant Chapel, Kingsway at 11th Ave., Wednesday, May 24 at 4 p.m. Followed by cremation. Donations to Crippled Children’s Hospital appreciated. No flowers please.
Gunner Jones enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 21 February 1916 and served in France and Belgium with 6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.
May 20, 1961, 1456 E. 12th Ave., aged 65 years. Survived by his loving wife, Charlotte; a daughter, Lorraine; 2 sisters, Mrs. Mary Jensen and Mrs. Jessie Brown; a niece and a nephew of this city; a brother, William in Timmins, Ont. Deceased was a member of Plantagenet Lodge No. 65, A.F. & A.M., and Odd Fellows Lodge No. 7392. Rev. G. Turpin, D.D., will conduct the funeral service in the Mount Pleasant Chapel, Kingsway at 11th Ave., Wednesday, May 24 at 4 p.m. Followed by cremation. Donations to Crippled Children’s Hospital appreciated. No flowers please.
Gunner Jones enlisted with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 21 February 1916 and served in France and Belgium with 6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.
Lists
The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page
The following pages contain additional information relating to the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
Honours and Awards
Trophies
Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeants Major
Honoraries
Battery Commanders and Battery Sergeants Major
Band Appointments
Nominal Roll
Guns of the Regiment
Memorial Page